3 ms·
Many thanks for the explanation. You sound like a teacher; I feel like I've really learned something this morning. Quick question: is there an issue with resis
by todsul 15y ago
Many thanks for the explanation. You sound like a teacher; I feel like I've really learned something this morning.
Quick question: is there an issue with resistance when it comes to vaccinations? I understand the problem with creating better combative medicines is working out how to attack the critters before they produce resistance. Either way, it sounds like a profound breakthrough for affected countries.
- toyg 15y agoMost diseases on the same scale as malaria were effectively wiped out by vaccination, because social pressure to get rid of them was tremendously high. The same would probably apply with malaria: vaccination programs would be so immediate and massive to give it very little chance of mutating quick enough to maintain the current (massive) level of infection. Even a reduction of 70 or 80% would make an incredible difference. The only real problem will be price. GSK will want a lot of money, and most malaria-affected countries are poor. Chances are that the "developed world" will have to step in and sponsor vaccination programs to the tune of billions, making (mostly African and South-Asian) countries even more dependent on them that they are now. Some of them had just managed to get rid of old debts, and now they'll have to make new ones. I expect the debate on pharmaceutical patents will flare up again. But it'll all be worth it.